Tuesday, February 19, 2008

8:55 PM

Barack Obama praised Wisconsinites for their "extraordinary civic pride" as he celebrated his win here at a rally in Houston.

Obama said he was grateful for the state's friendship and support.

"In Wisconsin, when you go to vote, it's 5 degrees outside," Obama told the crowd. "But that does not deter people from Milwaukee to Green Bay to Eau Claire, all across that state, from casting their ballots and exercising their civic duty."

Obama spoke to the crowd of an urgency to change the way things are done in Washington, D.C., and improve the national economy, slipping into his usual stump speech about bringing the country together.

Obama said his leap of faith to run for president has been vindicated by the American people shortly before the crowd broke into chants of "Yes, we can."

"The question I have for you tonight, Houston, is: Are you really ready for change?" Obama said.

Obama had a couple of shots for GOP frontrunner John McCain, too.

While saying he admires McCain as a true American hero, he criticized him for supporting President Bush's "failed economic policies" and his statements that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for another 100 years.

"He represents the policies of yesterday, and we want to be the party of tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to having that debate with John McCain," he said.